Cute! Raptorex kriegsteini New Miniature Tyrannosaur from the Early Cretaceous of China

This isn't Triassic, but it has been a slow month and this is pretty cool. Out today in Science is an article describing a new miniature tyrannosaur from the Early Cretaceous of China. Sereno et al. have named the specimen Raptorex kriegsteini after the parents of the benefactor who purchased the specimen from a private seller at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. This is a good story about how an illegally collected specimen is donated by a benefactor to science, studied and published for the scientific community and the public, and now will be returned back to China from where it was removed.

One thing I did notice is that the species name is improperly constructed. Because the specimen is named for Mr. and Mrs. Kriegstein, by ICZN convention the name should be R. kriegsteinorum. This seems to occur more often then it should, especially with multiple authors, reviewers, and editors.

Obviously you fell asleep before the end of the post where I discussed the improper species name. Correct me if I'm wrong but the recent version of the ICZN does not require emendations so this will be the permanent name?

"Aw, he's cute! I'd love to know how much the skeleton they found to come up with a skull/life reconstruction."

From the paper-LH PV18, partially articulated skeleton composed of disarticulated cranial bones representing most of the skull and postcranial skeleton, lacking portions of the forelimband the distal one-half of the tail (beyond the eleventh caudal). The holotype represents a young adult, as shown by fusion of the nasals and braincase elements in the skulland at least partial fusion of all neurocentral sutures. Catalogued in the collection of the Long Hao Institute of Geology and Paleontology (Hohhot, Nei MongolAutonomous Region) and the University of Chicago(Chicago).

Jay is correct. If the species name is based on only honoring the father then it is correct. I based my statement on the news articles which had quotes from both Sereno and Kriegstein stating that the intent was to honor both paerents. I wonder why this was not done?

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My name is Bill Parker and I am a paleontologist in northeastern Arizona. While my day job mainly involves roaming the badlands of Petrified Forest National Park picking up bit after bit of phytosaur scrap (and finding some good stuff in-between), thus my main focus is the paleontology of the Triassic Period. However, I also have a very strong interest in Civil War history, and am a direct descendent of veterans who fought on both sides. Note: This is a personal site and all posts are my own opinions and do not represent the opinions of the National Park Service.